Scott Drake "Powered by Ford" chrome valve covers

[Bolted to Floor]

Has anyone else bought a set?
I got mine in the mail the other day and wonder about the chroming. The areas around the bolts and the bend where it turns up from the gasket area looks like paint splatter, or it wasn't buffed out right. Is this how other sets look or just the set I got??  Figured I would ask before sending them back.

image by JOHN DIXON, on Flickr

image by JOHN DIXON, on Flickr

image by JOHN DIXON, on Flickr

[mbrunson427]

Yes, got a set of chrome pentroofs that were the same way. Wasn't real pleased.

[cjshaker]

Chrome on the aftermarket stuff is really hit or miss. I've had to return several things because of crappy chrome, like bumpers and shock tower braces. Most of the Scott Drake stuff that I've seen is made overseas, so it's not a huge shock. Return them until you get a pair that is good. Unfortunately, the EPA has all but killed the chroming business here in the U.S.. That's why the spray chrome is catching on. I have a buddy that is doing it professionally, and it doesn't turn out too bad. Not the same as chrome, but probably the next best alternative. How long the stuff holds up though, remains to be seen.

[Bolted to Floor]

Thanks guys, I will give them a call on Friday to get the return process started. Hopefully, I can get them to inspect the next set before coming to me. At least they still show to have some in stock.

[BruceS]

John, I went the route of buying a used set of those covers off of eBay locally (they came off a '71 pickup 390) and having them chromed, also locally.  It was $$$, but very pleased.  Btw, the chromer told me most of his business now comes from outside TX.  He said he could close his doors to walk-ins and just accept work from out of state and still do very well.  Bruce

[Lenz]

Great plating results require solid prep work (obviously missing in the photos where polishing is more difficult).  Once the metal is ready, the copper and nickel are applied and the nickel often gets a final polish to clear any blemishes and to set up the chrome coat.  I have no doubts about the quality of work that can be achieved as was the case for Bruce.  Buying such quality off the shelf is a rare thing now in my view and if you do find it it'll cost.

[preaction]

Made in China part with chromed in China chrome.

[Bolted to Floor]

Thought about doing that too Bruce. Figured this was cheaper after paying to have my door handles rechromed.

In the end, you get what you pay for!!

[Katz427]

I honestly don't believe you will get a pair of valve covers any better than those. They are what they are. You want better,  you are going to have to find a good plating shop. The finish is 80 percent in the polishing as already stated.  Those covers just don't get polished around the bolt holes. Must be only a big wheel is used.
IMO

[HvyFt4spd]

   I've not bought the valvecovers but I have had several bumpers and misc. chrome parts. Most of the time I send them to have the chrome stripped first before modifying them but a few times I've just cut them up as is for mockup. In those cases I have found oil under the chrome and the rougher areas to be slag from using poor quality steel that is formed without being pickled first. Good quality steel stampings are smooth enough to chrome as delivered, it is repairs and stripped parts for rechroming that need to be buffed. Rechromed parts are buffed because the stripping process eats the surface of the steel in removing the chrome. Any remaining flaws can be taken out by building up copper and dressing it just like pitted potmetal. Generally though only in the case of a rough plate or the best of the best parts are they buffed at each step. Our friends in the far east are basically knocking off what slag they can and tossing parts in the tanks.

[wayne]

Factory covers in that area around the bolts are  not much better .

[TomP]

The factory covers are not as good, they have a cheap industrial chrome job .
Those might be too nice to be concours correct.